Cayetano blames MMDA chief for floods

By Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) - Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano blamed the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for the massive flooding in Metro Manila during monsoon rains last week, and called on the Senate to investigate the matter.

In a privilege speech on Wednesday, Cayetano criticized MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino's delayed approval of proposals to purchase thousands of liters of fuel for pumping stations.

Citing copies of purchase requests sent to Tolentino's office, Cayetano said MMDA engineer Michael Doce asked the agency to buy 28,000 liters of diesel each for the Hagonoy and Labasan pumping stations as early as July 12.

Tolentino approved the request 21 days after, and the fuel was delivered on August 8 or a day after floods began to submerge the metropolis.

As a result, the Hagonoy and Labasan stations did not work, affecting the pumping station in Taguig, Cayetano's hometown.